US Open: I Lost, It's Cool, Says Gael Monfils

Updated: 05 September 2014 13:48 IST

Eccentric Frenchman Gael Monfils went down 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 to 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer in the quarterfinals after seeing two match points in the 10th game of the fourth set as Federer reached his ninth US Open semifinal to stay on course for a sixth title.

Gael Monfils let slip two match points which would have given him a famous US Open triumph over Roger Federer on Thursday and said: "It's cool".

The 28-year-old went down 4-6, 3-6, 6-4, 7-5, 6-2 to the 17-time Grand Slam champion in the quarterfinals after seeing two match points in the 10th game of the fourth set as Federer reached his ninth US Open semifinal to stay on course for a sixth title.

The 33-year-old Swiss second seed, bidding to become the oldest winner of a Grand Slam title in more than 40 years, was staring down the barrel of a demoralising exit when French 20th seed Monfils had him on the ropes.

"I think it was cool. I think he hit two big serves and a good forehand volley and then a good forehand down the line. I think, you know, I did my best, so it was okay," said Monfils who had been bidding to make just his second semifinal at a major after a run to the French Open last four in 2008.

"Then he played good. He had the set. Then physically I had a drop, five minutes. It came quick. He started to be very offensive. So then it was very tough to handle."

Monfils had roared into a two-set lead, firing winners off both flanks as Federer tried and failed to convert break points.

He even berated umpire Carlos Ramos for his officiating telling him that he didn't know what was wrong with him before an uncharacteristic bout of petulance saw him chop his racquet into the net.

Monfils admitted that the Swiss was able to adapt to the impending crisis, a tactic which has served him well down the years of his storied career.

"That's why he's Roger Federer, because he change so many times. He starts with chipping very low. I think I handled it good. So then he stick with longer points. It was 50-50, and then he try to come to the net very often," said Monfils when asked to analyse the tactics.

"It was a bit better for him. Then suddenly he started to mix everything. That's why he's the greatest player, because he can do everything."

The victory was Federer's 26th in 27 night-time matches in New York and put him just one win away from a career 600 victories on hard courts, a landmark he can reach if he defeats Marin Cilic to make the final.

Federer's win was his ninth from two sets to love down and first at a major since he had to engineer a similar Houdini act against another Frenchman, Julien Benneteau, at Wimbledon in 2012 on his way to his 17th and most recent major title.

"Gael played great tennis but even when I was two sets down I knew the finish line was still far away for him," said Federer after the three-hour 20-minute duel put him in his first semifinal since 2011.

"I knew I could play better tennis but on match point I wasn't feeling so great anymore.

"I just thought this could be the last point, don't give it away on an easy shot, make him work for it."

Federer added later: "Saving match points against Gael in an atmosphere that it was out here tonight, it's definitely very special. The rallies were incredible at times, and my game really picked up. I served great in the fifth when it mattered."